Kiev III top plate assembly

[physiognomy]

I was asked to share some pictures showing assembly/disassembly of the Kiev III top plate that I swapped out recently... I was too excited to get the 2a top plate on my new Kiev II(I) that I didn't take any pictures, so here are a series I took while putting the III top plate on the 2a body.

The first pic shows the '54 Kiev III top plate next to one from a '74 Kiev 4. Here you can see the meter cover, meter glass, & cold shoe removed from the Kiev III top plate. The rewind knob is also partially dismantled. For comparison the meter cover on the Kiev 4 top plate is also removed. Four small screws located on the sides of the meter cover hold it on.

The second pic shows the meter cover placed back over the meter & the screw holes for attaching it. One piece of advice that can be taken from this photo is to check the parts you have left before screwing anything down... You can see near my hand the meter glass that I didn't replace & I also found that the clip under the shoe was also left out. 5mins latter it was all unscrewed again :bang:

The third pic (sorry for the overexposure) shows the top plate in place on the body & the rewind/meter knob parts lined up for assembly. The three screws on the lower right hold the body to the top plate...

I will continue the series in another post...

Peter

 

[physiognomy]

This pic shows a closer view of the rewind assembly... I found that due to a slight difference in the height of the 2a body (?) I needed to bend over the ends of the spider-like washer a little more so that the ghost indicator had enough resistance & didn't shift too easily...

The final pic shows the completed camera... Somehow it seems to wind & shoot much smoother now with the III top plate. It's definitely worthy of at least a test roll... Now I wish the meter worked!

If you see anything that you want me to describe better just let me know...

Peter

 

[w3rk5]

Nice documentation Peter.

 

[physiognomy]

Thanks! I have a few more projects with my Kievs & will take some pictures when I get around to them. The original shutter from the parts 2a (now 3a) still needs new ribbons & the light seals on my Kiev 4 need replacing. I'll get to them eventually...

Peter